Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Efficacy Of A Yfv-Specific Monoclonal Antibody In The Treatment Of Yf In A Hamster Model, Ryne Christiansen

Student Research Symposium

The yellow fever virus (YFV) is a flavivirus found mainly in South America and Africa. Infection may result in fever, chills, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Outbreaks may have up to 50% case mortality. Although Yellow Fever (YF) is a highly preventable disease through the use of an effective vaccine, there are no approved antivirals for this disease. An effective antiviral is necessary to treat infected individuals in areas where the YF vaccine was not used and an outbreak of YF occurs. In this study, female Syrian golden hamsters were infected with YFV and treated with YFV-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Weight …

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Of Online-Delivered Act-Enhanced Behavior Therapy For Trichotillomania In Adolescents, Michael P. Twohig, Julie M. Petersen, Jeremiah Fruge, Clarissa W. Ong, Jennifer L. Barney, Jennifer Krafft, Eric B. Lee, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Student Research

Treatment of adolescent trichotillomania is understudied, and treatment providers are difficult to find. In this pilot study, we compared ACT-enhanced behavior therapy to a waitlist, with treatment delivered over Zoom, to 28 adolescents who met criteria for trichotillomania. This study partially occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed description of the treatment protocol is provided for ACT-enhanced behavior therapy adapted to a Zoom format for adolescents. Pretreatment assessments were completed over Zoom by an assessor unaware of study condition; pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaires were completed online. Results indicated that therapy was delivered with fidelity and competence over Zoom, with 100% …

A Preliminary Examination Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) Versus Exposure And Response Prevention (Erp) For Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder On An Optimal Dose Of Ssris: A Randomized Controlled Trial In Iran, Mehdi Zemestani, Mojgan Salavati, Asrin Seyedolshohadayi, Julie M. Petersen, Clarissa W. Ong, Michael P. Twohig, Ebrahim Ghaderi

Psychology Student Research

This study compared the effects of adding acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or exposure and response prevention (ERP) to adults diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) already on an optimal and stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Forty adults on SSRIs who were diagnosed with OCD participated in a randomized controlled trial in Iran of 12 individual weekly sessions of either ACT+SSRI, ERP+SSRI, or continued SSRI only. The results showed significant reductions in OCD symptom severity in ACT+SSRI and ERP+SSRI conditions at posttreatment with significantly greater reductions in both conditions compared to SSRI-only at follow-up. Additionally, psychological inflexibility …

Sexual Orientation Intrusive Thoughts And Well-Being: The Mediating Role Of Psychological Inflexibility, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Sexual orientation intrusive thoughts are a debilitating form of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study aimed to elucidate how psychological inflexibility and dysfunctional beliefs may impact the relationships of sexual orientation intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms with well-being. A total of 181 undergraduate students completed measures of sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, OC symptoms, psychological inflexibility, dysfunctional beliefs, and well-being. Results indicated positive correlations between psychological inflexibility, sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, dysfunctional beliefs, and OC symptoms, along with negative correlations between well-being and sexual orientation intrusive thoughts, OC symptoms, dysfunctional beliefs and psychological inflexibility. Psychological inflexibility acted as a …

Nocebo-Hypothesis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Nh-Cbt) For Persons With Functional Neurological Symptoms (Motor Type): Design And Implementation Of A Randomized Active-Controlled Trial, Matt Richardson, Maria Kleinstäuber, Dana Wong

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Functional Neurological Symptom Disorders (FNSD) are associated with high levels of disability and immense direct and indirect health costs. An innovative interdisciplinary rehabilitation approach for individuals with functional neurological symptoms of motor type–Nocebo-Hypothesis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (NH-CBT)—combines CBT and movement retraining with video feedback embedded in a comprehensive explanatory model of the etiology of FNSD. Methods: This protocol describes the development and implementation of a phase II, parallel group, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessors to compare the efficacy of NH-CBT with an active control condition (supportive counseling and movement retraining). Individuals meeting diagnostic criteria of an FNSD …

The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Academic Stress, And Attention, Tida Blackburn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Some degree of anxiety in learning situations is expected and normal. However, excessive anxiety and stress negatively affect cognitive performance, especially working memory, concentration, and sustained attention. Studies have shown that higher success in academics is related to a better ability to maintain focus on the information presented including auditory and visual attention. College students who are better able to manage stress are more successful than those who cannot. One method of coping with stress and anxiety is the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment, be aware of one’s mind, body, and …

The Moderating Role Of Psychological Inflexibility In The Relationship Between Minority Stress, Substance Misuse, And Suicidality In Lgb+ Adolescents, Sean N. Weeks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence is a difficult time, especially for those who do not identify as heterosexual (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual; LGB+). Increased rates of substance abuse and suicidality are well documented outcomes that tend to be worse in the LGB+ adolescent community than in mainstream groups. Minority stress, the effect of unique stressors experienced by those in the LGB+ community explained by external and societal influences, has been accepted within the research community as a theory used to explain the health disparities seen in this group. This study proposed a possible further explanation, in addition to minority stress, that helps …

Definition And Characteristics Of Behavioral Medicine, And Main Tasks And Goals Of The International Society Of Behavioral Medicine –An International Delphi Study, Joost Dekker, Marie Amitami, Anne H. Berman, Helen Brown, Bryan Cleal, Maria João Figueiras, Lila J. Finney Rutten, Egil A. Fors, Konstadina Griva, Jing Gu, Chris Keyworth, Maria Kleinstäuber, Claas Lahmann, Joseph T. F. Lau, Bernd Leplow

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: In the past decades, behavioral medicine has attained global recognition. Due to its global reach, a critical need has emerged to consider whether the original definition of behavioral medicine is still valid, comprehensive, and inclusive, and to reconsider the main tasks and goals of the International Society of Behavioral Medicine (ISBM), as the umbrella organization in the field. The purpose of the present study was to (i) update the definition and scope of behavioral medicine and its defining characteristics; and (ii) develop a proposal on ISBM’s main tasks and goals. Method: Our study used the Delphi method. A core …

A Reinforcement Learning Based Control Approach For Propofol-Induced Burst Suppression, Jason C. Huang, Scott C. Tadler, Brian J. Mickey, Keith Jones

Utah Space Grant Consortium

High-dose propofol is being investigated for its potential antidepressant effect. Propofol is titrated to induce burst suppression, a specific EEG pattern. However, propofol is difficult to dose due to uncertainty in each patient’s pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), and the lack of a commercially available monitor of propofol concentration. Clinicians currently infer the proper drug dose after observing the EEG response to the given dose. In this report we share our development of an automated controller to optimally administer propofol-induced burst suppression. We designed a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, which includes two deep neural networks and relates a …

The Impact Of The Illness Label ‘Gout’ On Illness And Treatment Perceptions In Māori (Indigenous New Zealanders), Nicola Dalbeth, Meihana Douglas, Kate Mackrill, Leanne Te Karu, Maria Kleinstäuber, Keith J. Petrie

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Despite contemporary advances in understanding pathogenesis and effective management of gout, beliefs about the disease continue to be focused on gout as a self-inflicted illness. The illness label itself may contribute to inaccurate perceptions of the disease and its management. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, Māori (Indigenous New Zealanders) have high prevalence of severe gout. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the illness label ‘gout’ on perceptions of the disease and its management for Māori. Methods: Māori supermarket shoppers (n = 172) in rural and urban locations were recruited into a study examining the perceptions about …

Why Are Some Cases Not On Track? An Item Analysis Of The Assessment For Signal Cases During Inpatient Psychotherapy, Thomas Probst, Maria Kleinstäuber, Michael J. Lambert, Karin Tritt, Christoph Pieh, Thomas H. Loew, Reiner W. Dahlbender, Jamie Delgadillo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Within the Routine Outcome Monitoring system “OQ-Analyst,” the questionnaire “Assessment for Signal Cases” (ASC) supports therapists in detecting potential reasons for not-on-track trajectories. Factor analysis and a machine learning algorithm (LASSO with 10-fold cross-validation) were applied, and potential predictors of not-on-track classifications were tested using logistic multilevel modeling methods. The factor analysis revealed a shortened (30 items) version of the ASC with good internal consistency (α = 0.72–0.89) and excellent predictive value (area under the curve = 0.98; positive predictive value = 0.95; negative predictive value = 0.94). Item-level analyses showed that interpersonal problems captured by specific ASC items (not …

Experiential Avoidance And Negative Affect As Predictors Of Daily Drinking, Jason B. Luoma, Benjamin G. Pierce, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

People who drink alcohol to cope with negative affect tend to drink more and experience more frequent negative alcohol-related consequences. Experiential avoidance, the tendency to avoid, suppress, or otherwise attempt to control unwanted inner experiences, is a largely pathological process that may help account for how negative affect is linked to increased alcohol consumption. However, research to-date has typically used global, trait-like measures, which limit our understanding of the conditions under which experiential avoidance is problematic. The current study tested both between-person (trait) and within-person (daily) variation in experiential avoidance and negative affect as predictors of solitary and social drinking …

Internalized And Anticipated Stigmatization In Patients With Gout, Maria Kleinstäuber, Leonie Wolf, Annie S. K. Jones, Nicola Dalberth, Keith J. Petrie

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: To investigate the relationship between stigma perception and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. Methods: A sample of 50 patients with gout and prescribed urate-lowering medication (84% were males, mean serum urate 0.34 mmol/l) completed questionnaires on internalized and anticipated stigma, demographics, clinical gout-related variables, and psychosocial variables (illness perceptions, illness-related disability, illness-related body satisfaction, intentional nonadherence). Serum urate level was obtained from the most recent blood test. Results: In this sample, 26% experienced internalized stigma, 26% expected to be stigmatized by friends or family members, and 14% by health care workers. Univariate regression analyses showed that younger age, ethnicity …

Evaluating Commonalities Between Different Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Dan Guo, Maria Kleinstäuber, Malcolm Henry Johnson, Frederick Sundram

Psychology Faculty Publications

This commentary presents commonalities in medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) across multiple organ systems, including symptoms, aetiological mechanisms, comorbidity with mental health disorders, symptom burden and impact on quality of life. Further, treatment outcomes and barriers in the clinician–patient relationship, and cross-cultural experiences are highlighted. This discussion is necessary in aiding an improved understanding and management of MUS due to the interconnectedness underlying MUS presentations across the spectrum of medical specialties.

Developing A Computer Game For Measuring Delay Discounting, Haylee Downey, Ryan L. Becker

Research on Capitol Hill

Would you prefer $75 now or $100 in the future? What about an unhealthy dessert now or good health in the future? Both of these questions involve a smaller sooner reward option and a larger later reward option. These types of choices can be described in part by delay discounting.

• Delay discounting is the tendency for rewards to lose value when they are presented after a delay .
• Impulsivity is defined as a pattern of choosing smaller sooner rewards. High levels of impulsivity are associated with problematic behaviors.

High levels of impulsivity are associated with high levels of delay discounting. …

Training Non-Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Bcba) Behavior Specialists To Conduct Trial-Based Functional Analyses In Residential Settings, Devon S. Millington

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated a process for identifying the reasons why a person with an intellectual disability has problem behaviors. This process is called a trial-based functional analysis (TBFA). The researchers wanted to know if a person who was not an expert behavior analyst could be trained to perform the TBFA and if the results obtained from the TBFA could be used to create a program to reduce the problem behavior of a person with an intellectual disability living in a community-based group home for persons with disabilities. The results of this study show that a person who is not an …

Changing Delay Discounting: Identification And Evaluation Of Ecologically Valid Methods For Reducing Impulsive Choice, Jillian M. Rung

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Impulsivity takes many forms, one of which is termed impulsive choice. Impulsive choice entails preference for an outcome due to its immediacy relative to more optimal outcomes that take longer to come to fruition. For example, one may wish to have another serving of a decadent dessert after dinner—but doing so may undermine a longer-term goal of improved health and nutrition. If having the extra serving becomes a habit, the consequences of that choice compound and may lead to, for example, obesity. A high degree of impulsive choice such as this is indeed related to issues such as obesity, …

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Causal Illness Attribution Scale In Chinese Patients With Multiple Somatic Symptoms, Ling Zhang, Jeanine Schwarz, Maria Kleinstäuber, Kurt Fritzsche, Wiebke Hannig, Jing Wei, Jianzhong Yang, Lan Zhang

Psychology Faculty Publications

Causal illness attributions influence how individuals cope with somatic symptoms and illnesses. Dimensions of causal symptom attributions have been examined in Western cultures with the subscale ‘causes’ of the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Some previous studies have identified a stronger somatic attribution style in Asian patients. In this study it was examined if the factorial structure of causal attributions identified in Western populations can be identified in a large Chinese sample of patients presenting with somatic symptoms. We recruited 665 patients aged at least 18 who were visiting the hospital for reasons of treatment from departments of traditional Chinese …

Rock Climbing And Acute Emotion Regulation In Patients With Major Depressive Disorder In The Context Of A Psychological Inpatient Treatment: A Controlled Pilot Trial, Maria Kleinstäuber, Merle Reuter, Norbert Doll, Andreas J. Fallgatter

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Major depressive disorder is characterized by deficits in emotion regulation. This study examined associations between rock climbing and acute emotion regulating effects in patients with major depression. Patients and methods: In a nonrandomized, controlled study, 40 major depressive disorder inpatients were assigned to either a climbing session (n=20) or a relaxation session (n=20). Positive and negative affect, depressiveness, and coping emotions were assessed immediately before and after the session. Results: Mixed analyses of variance and covariance revealed significant time × group interaction effects for all assessed outcomes (p≤0.012): positive affect and coping emotions significantly increased and negative affect and …

Application Of Coaching And Behavioral Skills Training During A Preschool Practicum With A College Student With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Summer Gunn, Tyra P. Sellers, Benjamin Lignugaris/Kraft

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

The current study looked at the effects of coaching using behavioral skills training (BST) outlined by Parsons, Rollyson, and Reid (2012). The participant was a young adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) enrolled in a preschool practicum course as part of the early childhood special education (ECSE) licensure program at the university that she attended. Impairment in social-pragmatics and executive functioning are associated with ASD, and are critical for engaging in an evaluative and analytic process necessary for success as an ECSE teacher. Coaching, using the BST model paired with observation and immediate feedback in the practicum environment, was used …

The Role Of Medical Comorbidities On The Risk For Severe Dementia, Institutionalization, And Death In Alzheimer's Disease: A Population Study In Cache County, Utah, Mac J. Gilbert

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that impairs cognitive and functional abilities. Without a cure, it is estimated there will be 81 million cases of Alzheimer’s disease by 2040. Life for the individual with Alzheimer’s disease, and their family, changes drastically when the affected individual experiences significant problems with memory, thinking, and ability to complete daily tasks. Some become so debilitated that they need to be placed in a nursing home for supportive care. Until a cure is discovered, it will be important to identify what can be done to help those with Alzheimer’s disease minimize time spent experiencing severe …

Effects Of Differential Rates Of Alternative Reinforcement On Resurgence Of Human Behavior: A Translational Model Of Relapse In The Anxiety Disorders, Brooke M. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Brooke M. Smith, graduate student in the Combined Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology program at Utah State University, proposed and completed this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Master of Science in Psychology.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorders in the world, and they place a substantial burden on society. Although successful psychological treatments for anxiety are available, many people still experience relapse once treatment ends. When consequences that follow a behavior increase its future probability, this is termed “reinforcement.” One common treatment approach for anxiety is to attempt to decrease problematic behavior, such as avoidance, …

Pharmacological Interventions For Somatoform Disorders In Adults, Maria Kleinstäuber, Michael Witthöft, Andrés Steffanowski, Harm Van Marwijk, Wolfgang Hiller, Michael J. Lambert

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Somatoform disorders are characterised by chronic, medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). Although different medications are part of treatment routines for people with somatoform disorders in clinics and private practices, there exists no systematic review or meta‐analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of these medications. We aimed to synthesise to improve optimal treatment decisions. Objectives: To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders (specifically somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, and pain disorder) in adults. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group's Specialised Register (CCDANCTR) (to 17 January 2014). This register …

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Somatoform Disorders And Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (Mups) In Adults, Nikki Van Dessel, Madelon Den Boeft, Johannes C. Van Der Wouden, Maria Kleinstäuber, Stephanie S. Leone, Berend Terluin, Mattijs E. Numans, Henriëtte E. Van Der Horst, Harm Van Marwijk

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are physical symptoms for which no adequate medical explanation can be found after proper examination. The presence of MUPS is the key feature of conditions known as 'somatoform disorders'. Various psychological and physical therapies have been developed to treat somatoform disorders and MUPS. Although there are several reviews on non‐pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders and MUPS, a complete overview of the whole spectrum is missing. Objectives: To assess the effects of non‐pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders (specifically somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform disorders unspecified, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, pain disorder, and alternative somatoform diagnoses …

Predictors Of Persistence And Resurgence: Evaluation Of A Behavioral Momentum-Based Approach, Mary M. Sweeney

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mary M. Sweeney, graduate student in the Experimental and Applied Psychological Sciences program at Utah State University, will complete this dissertation as part of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.

One approach to reducing a behavior with a history of reward is to remove the reward for the target behavior to be reduced and introduce reward for an alternative behavior. When alternative reward is removed, though, relapse termed resurgence can occur. The broad purpose of this dissertation is to examine the variables that contribute to the persistence and resurgence of a behavior. The results of …

Pharmacological Interventions For Somatoform Disorders In Adults [Protocol], Maria Kleinstäuber, Michael Witthöft, Andrés Steffanowski, Michael Lambert, Günter Meinhardt, Klaus Lieb, Wolfgang Hiller

Psychology Faculty Publications

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders (specifically somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, and pain disorder) in adults.

Does Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (Nsaid) Use Affect Dementia Progression And Survival Rates In Alzheimer's Disease? The Cache County Study, Trevor R. Buckley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has multiple factors that contribute to the disease process. Among these is a state of chronic inflammation that is endured by the brain during the aging process. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the amount of neuroinflammation sustained by the brain, and greater levels of NSAID use have been demonstrated to be associated with decreased probability of developing AD. This study looked at whether greater rates of NSAID use were also associated with decreased rates of cognitive and funtional decline and survival in a population-based sample of persons with AD. Linear mixed models failed to …

Prize-Based Contingency Management: A Vehicle Miles Of Travel Reduction Intervention, Joshua D. Marquit

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

During the past 50 years, air pollution has become a growing problem throughout the Intermountain West because of increases in personal vehicle ownership and usage. Scientists continue to design interventions to improve air quality by encouraging people to reduce their personal vehicle miles of travel (VMT). However, results of these interventions have only seen modest reductions in VMT because of some methodological and measurement issues. To address these limitations, a 14-week driving reduction intervention was conducted in Cache County, Utah. This intervention employed a prizebased contingency management system within a single-subject, A-B-A withdrawal research design that rewarded participants with prizes …

Effects Of The Frontier Environment On Identity Development Among First Generation College Students, Kenli Ann Urruty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The unique experience of first generation college students from frontier communities as they transition to college has not yet been explored in the literature. The current study was designed to explore those experiences and the ways the frontier context and first generation status shape identity development once these youth have left their families and home communities and made the transition to college. To gain a rich understanding of the experiences of first generation college students from frontier communities, this study employed a phenomenological qualitative design and the findings were interpreted through a social constructionist lens. Eleven emerging adults were recruited …

Sexual And Religious Identity Development Among Adolescent And Emerging Adult Sexual Minorities, Angie L. Dahl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As the majority of Americans identify with a religious affiliation, the religious context is an important backdrop upon which identity development occurs. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youths, the process of development may be complicated in a religious context due to denominational positions on same-sex sexuality. While recent researchers highlighted the importance of contextual influences on LGBTQA developmental processes, few studies have examined LGBTQA sexual and religious identity development. The goal of the current study was to gain a better understanding and appreciation of LGBTQA adolescent and young adult experiences of religious and sexual identity …